Issue 709

Issue 709 Aug 15 – 22 2012

David Atlanta Contents 11 8 Seen@

Issue 10 | Aug 15 – 22 | 2012

14

11 14 19 24 27 31

Mary’s Quite for Fairies Rainbow Days at Six Flags ROXX Rocks Summer & Fall Events Cocktail Chatter, Grasshopper Top 10 Tracks Protect Your Monster 34 BarTab Map: Guide to Gay Atlanta 36 BarTab Week: Calendar 38 Cazwell Headlines Six Flags 42 Jay Brannan 46 Deep Inside Hollywood 49 Seen@ 50 MetroFresh Keeps It Local 54 Jordin Sparks Sparkles 58 Fairyscopes 59 Classifieds 60 Seen@ 62 Bitch Session

38

DRT Media Group Inc. 404.418.8901 CONTACT Advertising | sales@davidatlanta.com Classifieds | classifieds@davidatlanta.com Editor / Press Releases | press@davidatlanta.com Calendar Listings | calendar@davidatlanta.com Bitch Column | bitch@davidatanta.com National Ad Rep | Rivendell Media | 908-232-2021 Like us on Facebook! DavidAtlanta Follow us on Twitter! DavidMagazineGA

STAFF David Thompson | Publisher Bob Gunby | Sales Director Sales / Operations | Steve Tyrrell, Chip O’ Kelley Maximillian Corwell | Editor-in-Chief Kiki Carr | Art Director Joseph Brownell | Lead Editor | Social Media Coordinator Elijah Sarkesian | Lead Writer | Art Director Assistant Jamie Scarbrough | Technical Support Writers | Rian Ashlei, Chris Azzopardi, Corian Ellisor, Van Gower, Clayton Morey Columnists | Sam Gabel, Richard Marshall, Dustin Shelby, Brent Star, Lucas Witherspoon Lead Photographer | Rory Evans

The content of this Publication is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice. The opinions expressed by any writer, advertiser, or other person appearing in the Magazine are not necessarily those of the Publication, its management or staff. The information and materials appearing in the Magazine are not guaranteed or warranted as to accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness, or suitability of the information and materials found or offered for a particular purpose. It shall be your responsibility to ensure that any products, services, or information available through this Publication meets your specific requirements. The Publication is not responsible for claims made by advertisers, content of information, changes, events, and schedules. The Magazine contains information and material which is owned by or licensed to the Publication, including but not limited to articles, advertisement, design, layout, graphics, and logos.

No part or portion of this Publication may be reproduced in any way without the prior written consent of the Publisher. Unauthorized use of this Publication may give rise to claims for damages and or criminal offenses. Your use of the information or materials in the Publication is strictly at your own risk.

6 | david atlanta

david atlanta | 7

8 | david atlanta

Mary’s, Mary’s, Quite for Fairies

E

by Van Gower

very nightlife scene in almost any major city has its thematic niches: hip-hop, country, rock, dance. In Atlanta’s gay nightlife, the entertainment emphasis has traditionally been on high-energy dance mixed with a generous portion of drag queen divas in the gay-concentrated, relatively upscale environs of Midtown. So when the bar Mary’s opened in the rock-and-roll and hipster haven of East Atlanta Village in 1998, it was a breath of fresh air to both gay partying options and to the “EAV” itself.

“I don’t want to speak for the previous owners, but I think they were inspired to bring a gay element to the budding East Atlanta neighborhood,” said Ben Cheaves, who, along with his business partners Mike Dover and Bill Overall, purchased Mary’s in 2005.

“They opened up a decidedly gay and gay-friendly bar in an already eclectic and growing neighborhood,” Cheaves said. “As patrons and DJ’s of the bar in those early days, we all enjoyed the vibe of the neighborhood and the other customers that Mary’s seemed to attract.”

While Mary’s patrons tend primarily to be gay men, Cheaves said the nightspot has “always enjoyed and benefited from having an eclectic mix of gays, lesbians, straight guys and girls, transgender people, queers, drag queens, you name it. Hipsters, squares, metrosexuals, blue-collar types, and all kinds of people seem to want to bump elbows at Mary’s, and that’s the way we like it.”

Rooted in its

longstanding and unabated popularity among locals is the national acclaim that has regularly landed Mary’s on many national polls and lists as being the best gay bar in the United States.

“We’ve been honored that other people seem to have a good time when they come here and want to give us praise. It’s definitely a rewarding feeling, but we’ve always tried to run the bar with the same intentions as when we first took over, and that is to give people a space to come be themselves and have a good time,” Cheaves said.

“We want you to feel like you’ve been invited to a crazy party in someone’s basement when their parents are out of town.”

Speaking of crazy parties, Mary’s hosts a number of annual theme parties that Cheaves said consistently draw big crowds, including “Bastille Day,” “Boys of Summer” swimsuit contest, “Hanky Code” parties, “Hallo-weenie” costume party, and “Madonna-rama,” which comes up again on August 17th. The latter party celebrates Madonna’s birthday with DJ Diablo Rojo, music videos, live performances, and more.

Even when we’re no longer sweating sexily from this summer’s heat and the cooler climes of the fall take over, Mary’s will show no signs of slowing down, according to Cheaves. There’s Atlanta Pride in late October, Halloween, and “everyone looks forward to seeing our over-the-top Christmas decorations during the holidays.”

Perhaps most exciting of all, Mary’s will celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2013 with big events scheduled all year long.

Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Avenue Atlanta, GA 30316, (404) 624-4411 marysatlanta.com

david atlanta | 11

Rainbow Days Are

A

Here Again!

by Elijah Sarkesian

s the end of summer approaches, Atlantans will have the opportunity to enjoy a day at Six Flags specifically for the LGBT community.

Rainbow Days at Six Flags, which first began in 2010, is back in its third year with a bigger series of events, highlighted by the central day at the Austell-based theme park on August 25.

For Rainbow Days co-founders Carmen Smith and Corinna Jones, it was important to create a special fun day for the LGBT community akin to events at major theme parks across the country, specifically the annual Gay Days event at Walt Disney World.

“I just wanted to bring something different, an entirely different event that didn’t only utilize, say, the Aquarium or Piedmont Park, but that included Six Flags,” says Smith.

Rainbow Days is, at this point, not a closed-off Six Flags event. General admission attendees will be in the park alongside Rainbow Days attendees, something Smith hopes will change by next year’s event.

This year, Jones and Smith are anticipating a much bigger turnout.

“Our ticket sales have tripled from last year at this time, so we’re thinking that it’s going to be a lot bigger than last year,” says Jones. “Last year we had around 2,000 attendees, and we didn’t have all the sponsorship support that we have this year, especially our media sponsors.”

Smith adds, “I’m expecting at least 5,000.”

“I think 5,000 is a reasonable number,” says Jones. She’s quick to add that she’d love to see more than that high number turn out.

Headlining the event’s entertainment lineup is former teen pop star Tiffany, best known for her 80s hit “I Think We’re Alone Now.” Tiffany, who has moved into different genres of music in recent years, is no stranger to Atlanta’s LGBT community. She was a featured performer during Atlanta Pride in 2008, and she’s vocal about her support for gay rights.

Also appearing at Rainbow Days is gay rapper Cazwell, making his Atlanta debut. Cazwell is known for his novelty rap songs “Ice Cream Truck” and “I Seen 25 Beyoncé at Burger King.”

Rainbow Days at Six Flags

For those who purchase Rainbow Days tickets, though, their purchase will include a greater value. Rainbow Days tickets include park admission plus parking, a buffet and entertainment, all for $49.95 – roughly a third the cost of the various components separately.

In its first year, Rainbow Days drew roughly 200 people, while last year’s event drew in approximately 2,000 people.

When: August Where: Six Flags Over Georgia Cost: $49.95 til Aug 17; $59.95 afterwards. Tickets: rainbowdaysatsixflags.com

Additional Events

Friday: Launch Party @ Blake’s Pre-Splash Party @ Burkhart’s Saturday: After-Parties @ My Sister’s Room, Jungle and LeBuzz Sunday: Rainbow Days Picnic (Location TBD)

According to Smith, there will also be additional entertainment from local drag performers, primarily from Blake’s. She is also working on fitting in local entertainers in the performance lineup, citing a large number of entertainers wanting to perform in some capacity at the event.

The fun of Rainbow Days goes beyond the central david atlanta | 15

event at Six Flags. The Friday night before the main event, Blake’s will be hosting the official Rainbow Days Launch Party. Simultaneously, Burkhart’s will host the Rainbow Days Pre-Splash Party with Gayborhood and Montage Old Fourth Ward.

The following evening, a series of after-parties will be held across Atlanta.

My Sister’s Room will be hosting a party primarily for women, while Jungle will be hosting a party for the boys. LeBuzz will also be providing a party, with their party being more open gender-wise.

The weekend concludes with a picnic luncheon Sunday afternoon, which is free for those who have purchased tickets to Saturday’s event. While this event has occurred in Piedmont Park in previous years, this year’s event location has yet to be officially confirmed at press time. Organizers will announce which Atlanta park will serve as the event location at Rainbow Days.

For the first time in the event’s history, a portion of the proceeds from Rainbow Days will be reinvested in the Atlanta community through different organizations. This year’s beneficiaries are MEGA Family, The Health Initiative, and PALS. Of the three organizations, one holds special significance to Jones.

“We chose MEGA Family because of what they do to help our community have their own families,” says Jones. “They have a lot of seminars on how to start a family when you’re part of the LGBT community, which is great, and they actually helped me with my family, because I have two children – two boys, and they were a great source of information when I wanted to start my own family.”

Smith adds that new beneficiaries will be selected in future years to receive donations.

With the amount of growth that the event has experienced since its inception just three years ago, Smith believes there’s still room for growth due to its location in Atlanta.

“Atlanta’s a great city, and people want reasons to come here.

Compared to Gay Days at Disney…I think Atlanta has so much more to offer and so many more reasons for people to come. We expect for this event to continually grow.”

16 | davidatlanta

david atlanta | 17

ROXX Rocks!

A

by Van Gower

s nearly any resident or well-seasoned visitor might tell you, Atlanta’s Cheshire Bridge Road could very well be the city’s own red-light district. Whether you’re gay or straight, there are ample choices for getting wild. Strip clubs and lingerie shops where curvaceous girlies take it all off for drooling dudes, porn shops and adult toy stores, a notorious motel, gay strip clubs, gay bars and dance clubs, offices, medical clinics, antique stores, family-friendly restaurants, and more blend into a delicious stew of sex, alcohol, business, and great food.

Perhaps among the most popular food and drink destinations on this unique street is ROXX Tavern.

This diner and bar has long been a mainstay in Atlanta’s gay community not only for its menu and libations, but for its comfortable, attitudefree vibe as well.

Dean Chronopoulos has been the owner and chef at ROXX since it opened its doors in 2000.

“ROXX prides itself as the place to where your food is cooked-to-order, drinks are cold, service is friendly, it’s easy on your wallet and, most importantly, you can be yourself.”

Being yourself is a trait that Atlanta’s gay folk pursue, and when they first discovered ROXX, they found a place they could call home.

“ROXX was originated and opened for the GLBT community,” said Chronopoulos. “What is heartwarming is the reception we received. From the very beginning, the community welcomed us with open arms, for which we will be forever grateful.”

Because Cheshire Bridge Road has a high concentration of gay-owned establishments nestled among its diverse offerings, it’s “one of the most eclectic, warm, and sociable streets in Atlanta,” Chronopoulos said. “What a great spot for a restaurant that shares its same characteristics.”

“ROXX has the proud distinction and the honor of being the gayest restaurant and

tavern in Atlanta. The great food and drinks are not the only comforting feature of ROXX. ROXX is the place where you can bring your friends and loved ones, hug, hold hands, and kiss, and there is never an awkward moment because the rest of dining room or patio is occupied with the GLBT community. ROXX is the place where you can relax and feel happy being yourself. ROXX has the privilege of continuously receiving accolades as being the best gay-friendly restaurant in Atlanta.”

Chronopoulos continues to be grateful for the overwhelmingly positive reception and accolades his creation has received from its inception.

“There are many times where a gay couple would stop and thank us for allowing the GLBT community to be part of ROXX. Our response is that we are the ones who appreciate being part of the community. ROXX would not exist without the GLBT community, and we are grateful for every single person who shares their dining, stories, and laughter with us.”

Because ROXX is now such an integral part of the community, it’s also an unofficial meeting place for many local GLBT organizations, which flock to it and hold meetings, special events, and fundraisers there. But Chronopoulos and his staff are not to be outdone in hosting their own events.

“The largest and most special event we host every year is during Pride weekend. Who doesn’t celebrate Pride at ROXX?” ROXX Tavern, 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, (404) 892-4541, roxxfanclub.com

david atlanta | 19

22 | davidatlanta

david atlanta | 23

The Fun Must Go On! Summer/Fall Events, Mark Your Calendars!

Summer is quickly drawing to a close, which will soon mean the end of many gays’ favorite outdoor events. However, it doesn’t necessarily sound the doomsday clock on all the fun that’s still out there. This week, David gives you a handy guide to some of the hottest happenings from the remainder of this month through September.

Thursday, August 16

ATLANTA COTILLION XI SILENT AUCTION & CABARET A night of graciousness and glamour. Gentlemen from Atlanta’s gay community participate as “debutantes” while raising funds for AID Atlanta.

Jungle Nightclub 215 Faulkner Rd. NE, Atlanta 6:00 p.m. $10 suggested donation $25 VIP www.atlantacotillion.com www.aidatlanta.org

Friday, August 17:

DEL SHORES: NAKED. SORDID. REALITY. Multiple-award winning gay writer/director Del Shores, of Sordid Lives fame, brings his hilarious new standup comedy show to Atlanta.

Onstage Atlanta 2597 N. Decatur Rd., Atlanta 8:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. $20 general seating $35 VIP (includes 10:00 p.m. Meet-and-Greet) www.onstageatlanta.com/ www.delshores.net

MADONNA-RAMA Celebrate the Material Woman’s birthday with a DJ, nonstop music videos, live performances, mash-ups, and more.

Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta 7:00 p.m. www.marysatlanta.com

Saturday, August 18:

JAY BRANNAN LIVE He set our hearts aflutter with his pretty face and sexual exploits in the groundbreaking film Shortbus. Now, Jay Brannan’s budding pop-folk music career is winning him a whole new legion of fans.

Eddie’s Attic 515-B North McDonough Street, Decatur Doors 6:30 p.m., show 7:30 p.m. $18 www.eddiesattic.com www.jaybrannan.com

Saturday, August 25:

4TH ANNUAL ATLANTA PRIDE “PRIDE RIDE” Proceeds from this bicycling fundraiser will benefit the Atlanta Pride Committee.

Stonecrest Mall parking lot, near food court.

2929 Turner Hill Road, Lithonia Assembly 7:30 a.m., ride begins 8:30 a.m.

Registration: $20 advance, $25 on site www.atlantapride.org/events/pride-ride

3RD ANNUAL RAINBOW DAYS AT SIX FLAGS Join friends old and new for a true family day out at metro Atlanta’s mega theme park.

Offerings include live entertainment by former ‘80s pop icon Tiffany.

Six Flags Over Georgia 275 Riverside Parkway Southwest, Austell 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. $49.95 www.rainbowdaysatsixflags.com www.facebook.com/RainbowDaysATL

Wednesday, August 29 – Monday, September 3:

ATLANTA BLACK PRIDE 2012 African-American LGBT’s from Atlanta and beyond will converge for dance parties, big-name performers, workshops, and more.

Meliá Atlanta Hotel 590 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta See website for schedule $100 www.inthelifeatl.com

Friday, August 31 – Monday, September 3:

DRAGON*CON Sci-fi, fantasy, and horror geeks of all sexual orientations have long mingled at this venerable and unique Atlanta tradition.

See website for locations and schedules $30 - $120 http://dragoncon.org/

Saturday, September 15: EAST ATLANTA STRUT

Tuesday, September 18 – Sunday, September 23:

22ND ANNUAL SOUTHERN COMFORT CONFERENCE Transgendered men and women converge for six days of vendors, authors, symposiums, and live entertainment (including a concert by The Sexual Side Effects).

The Crowne Plaza Hotel - Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta See website for schedule and pricing www.sccatl.org/content

Saturday, September 29:

CHRIS KIDS 12TH ANNUAL CHRISTAL BALL

The gay-inclusive hipster/punk enclave of East Atlanta Village comes alive once again for this “anything goes” music and arts festival.

This gala event and silent auction honors Atlanta community leaders and organizations who’ve made significant contributions to improving the lives of children including LGBT youth.

East Atlanta Village, at the intersection of Glenwood and Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. www.eastatlantastrut.com

Georgia Aquarium 225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. $250. Sponsorships available. http://www.chriskids.org/annual-events/12th-annual-christal-ball

david atlanta | 25

Cocktail Chatter

A Lesson for You: Grasshopper

The Grasshopper

T

by Ed Sikov

he grasshopper is a delicious dessert cocktail, but I rarely make them because of their repulsive name. I just can’t stand the idea of drinking insects. Is that so difficult to understand?

Why the inventor, some now-unknown master mixer but terrible namer in the French Quarter of New Orleans, probably in the early 1950s, felt compelled to dub his rich, creamy, minty milkshake of a drink after an overly excitable leapy-crawler – featured as one of the plagues visited on Egypt in the Lord’s surprisingly belabored attempts to free the Jews from slavery – is quite beyond me.

Given its already nauseating name, I kept the cocktail du weekend a secret from the housemates this time around.

I started the meal with a yellow tomato gazpacho, which turned out to be surprisingly unlike the typical throw-everything-in-theblender messes that we’re all used to. For one thing, there was no bread to thicken it; second, the color was quite a spectacularly bright yellow, what with the yellow tomatoes and the inspired addition of a little bit of no-pulp orange juice. Robbie flew off into a disgusting tangent about what the color reminded him of, but the adults at the table ignored him, with the exception of Craig, Chipper, Sal, Sean, Kyle, and Dan. (Yes, readers – I was the only adult at the table.)

1 part green crème de menthe 1 part white crème de cocoa 1 part heavy cream

We moved on to a heavier main course: Mix ingredients together with ice linguini in a shaker, shake and serve in a carbonara, cocktail glass. In addition to white made in crème to cocoa, there is also dark part from crème de cocoa. Beware: It will the bacon really screw up the color of your grease I’d grasshopper. saved from last Sunday’s breakfast. OK, not so good for you. But delicious!

Those two extra egg yolks I added to the recipe’s recommended three also enhanced the fat and cholesterol reverie.

I suppose I should have listened to Dan and let him make a fruit salad, a lighter ending to the meal than the Grasshoppers I had a craving for. Dan makes an excellent fruit salad – any fresh, ripe fruit cut up mixed with whole blueberries and raspberries and tossed with a little Triple Sec – but it was after the Fourth of July at Fire Island Pines and I was getting a little irritated at the endless parade of flawless chiseled abs and decided to make sure than no one in our house could possible have them. We practically had to hold Robbie down in the chair, pinch his nose closed and pour the drink into him, but even he drank his full share and admitted that his perfectly tight stomach could stand a little cuddly layer of fat as long as the cause was a delicious – I can barely type it – Grasshopper. david atlanta | 27

Top 10 Tracks 1. Demonstrate – JoJo 2. Spirit Indestructible – Nelly Furtado 3. Settle Down – No Doubt 4. Triumphant (Get ‹Em) [Vintage Throwback Remix] – Mariah Carey 5. Go Hard (La, La, La) – Kreayshawn 6. Didn’t Wanna Do It – Julia Volkova 7. Enough Said – Aaliyah feat. Drake 8. Never Gonna Let You Go – Esthero 9. Headphones – Little Boots 10. Let’s Have a Kiki – Scissor Sisters

By Dustin Shelby. Check out more music at Dustin’s blog at www.echodust.com

Protect Your Monster

by Richard Marshall

david atlanta | 31

BARTAB | map CHESHIRE BRIDGE & BUCKHEAD

ANSLEY

C2 BJ Roosters 2345 Cheshire Bridge Rd. www.

A22 Amsterdam 502 Amsterdam Ave. www.amster-

C3 Bliss Atlanta 2284 Cheshire Bridge Rd. www.

A23 Burkhart’s 1492 Piedmont Ave. www.burkharts.

C4 Club Rush (formerly Chaparral) 2715 Buford Hwy C5 Heretic 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd. www.hereticat-

A24 Felix’s 1510 Piedmont Ave A25 Mixx 1492 Piedmont Ave - B www.mixxatlanta.com A26 Oscar’s Atlanta 1510 Piedmont Ave NE www.

C6 Jungle 2115 Faulkner Rd. www.jungleclubatlanta.

A27 The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Rd NE, Suite 124

C7 Las Margaritas 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd. www.

A28 Brushstrokes/Capulets 1510 Piedmont Ave.

C36 Mood Lounge 3081 E. Shadowlawn Ave. NE C8 Opus 1 1086 Alco St. C9 Tripps 1931 Piedmont Circle www.trippsatlanta.

A29 Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Rd. www.boynext-

myspace.com/bjroostersatl blissofatlanta.com

www.chaparralalternative.com

lanta.com com

lasmargaritasmidtown.com

damatlanta.com

com

oscarsatlanta.com

www.atlantahideaway.com

www.brushstrokesatlanta.com door.biz

com

C10 Woofs 2425 Piedmont Rd NE www.woofsatlanta.

PONCE & the Highlands

com

P30 Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce de Leon Ave. www.

com

P31 Friends on Ponce 736 Ponce de Leon Ave.

org

P32 Model T’s 699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE #11 www.

Rd. www.southernnights.com

P30 Rawhide Leather at the Eagle 404.881.0031

C11 Gravity Fitness 201 Faulkner Rd. www.gravityatl.

C12 Manifest4U 2103 Faulkner Rd. www.manifest4u.

C13 Southern Nights Videos 2205 Cheshire Bridge MIDTOWN & WESTSIDE

atlantaeagle.com

www.friendsonponce-atl.com

modeltatlanta.com

Edgewood & EAST ATLANTA

M14 Blake’s on the Park 227 10th St. www.blake-

E35 The Cockpit 465 Boulevard Ave. www.thecockpit-

M15 Bulldogs 893 Peachtree St. M16 Daiquiri Factory 889 W. Peachtree St., 30309

E38 Sister Louisa’s Church 466 Edgewood Ave.

sontheparkatlanta.com

facebook.com/pages/The-Daiquiri-Factory M17 Gilberts 219 10th St. www.gilbertscafe.com M18 Joe’s on Juniper 1049 Juniper St www.joesonjuniper.com M19 Swinging Richards 1400 Northside Dr. www. swingingrichards.com M20 XS Ultra Lounge 708 Spring St., 30308 www. traxxatlanta.com M21 Flex 76 4th St. www.flexbaths.com

atlanta.blogspot.com

www.sisterlouisaschurch.com

E33 Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave. www.marysatlanta. com

E34 My Sisters Room 1271 Glenwood Ave www. mysistersroom.com

E37 Asylum 543 Flat Shoals Ave. www.asylumatl.com/

OUTER LIMITS

LeBuzz 585 Franklin Rd SE, Marietta www.thenewlebuzz.com

L38 Phase One 4933 Memorial Dr., Stone Mountain, 30083 www.wassupnatl.com

34 | davidatlanta

L enox

Paces F

C36

erry Rd

Rd

P

k

AlcoC8

C9

d.

re C5

shi

Che

e

La V ista R

C13

Peac

htre

C7

ck Ro

A27

orningside Sp Ansley M ring s A24 Mall A26 ■

85

A23

Av e

Boulevard

y Freedom Pkw

King Center Auburn ■ E38 E35

map courtesy of damron.com

Edgewood Ave

Ave

Av e

LITTLE FIVE POINTS

cli d

10

Ave NE

Eu

Highland

NE

Piedmont Ave

and

on dm Pie

Bedford Pl

Courtland

Mor el

Barnett St

Penn

Juniper St

St

75

Av

ve

Ave

Crescent

Spring St

W Peachtree St

Cypress

Argonne Ave

Northside Dr

t

North Ave

L38

Stone Mountain

e y NE E Freedom Pkw Freedom ■ Carter Presidential Park d Ralph McGill Blv Willoughby Way NE Library

A

St

Peachtree

P30

Ponce De Leon Ave

A

Techwood

St Charles

P31 P32

eth ab

ing

7th St

Eliz

Spr

E ve N nd A

8th St

■ 85 Civic Center

42

Virginia Ave VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS

10th St

od wo

Peachtree Center MARTA ■ P'tree M Center

am Ave

Lin

Centennial Olympic Park ■ Aquarium ■ ■ Georgia CNN ■ Dome Center

6th St 5th St 4th St

MARTA North Ave

MARTA M Civic Center

M14 M17

y

hley Ave As

Simpson

11th St

M15

M20 ■ Fox Theatre

North Ave

urtena Co

M18

M16

M

Ams t

hla N Hig

M21

Piedmont Park

er d

Georgia Tech ■

Botanical ■ Garden A22

14th St

M

Jo

Dr

MARTA Midtown

h

Rd

roe

A29

M19

High Museum & Woodruff Arts Center ■ MARTA M Arts Center

Rd

Mon

75

A28 A25

n

o ns

A alb M DeKMARTA Inman Park

A

© Damron Company, SF, CA, 2010

Sheridan Rd

C2

C3

85

C12 C11 C6

Rd

ea

236

C10

ee

r r cht ee C

d

Rd er lkn Fau

9

MARTA Lindbergh Center M

Hw y rd Bufo

Sidney Marcus Blv

Bri dge

Lindbergh Rd

Piedmont

Rd

Pharr Rd

to East Atlanta

E33 E34 E37

david atlanta | 35

BARTAB | week MONDAY

BLAKE’S Trivia w/ Mary Edith Pitts @ 11pm $250 prize, then New Drag on the Edge w/ Nicole Paige Brooks BURKHART’S Blue Monday Karaoke w/ Angelica D’Paige 11:30pm COCKPIT Big Red Cup All Day, specials EAGLE Comedy TV- Free Pool FELIX’S Free Pool FRIENDS DJ opens at 2pm HERETIC Play w/ Eddie 4pm-11pm HIDEAWAY $2.50 Domestic Beer JUNGLE Stars of the Century Show 11pm MODEL T Monday Night Madness 9pm Oscar’s Midtown Martini Club 4pm.

Service Industry Night 9pm Tripp’s Monday Night Madness 9pm Woof’s Texas Hold ‘Em Poker 8pm

TUESDAY

BLAKE’S Karaoke w Jerry Cyccone 11pm BURKHART’S Trivia Tuesday Karaoke w/ Angelica D’Paige 11:30pm Club Rush HipHop til 4am, $5 COCKPIT 80s Party 9pm, specials 5-8pm EAGLE Tuesdays w/ Tony FELIX’S Smirnoff Martini Night FRIENDS Let’s Make a Deal 6pm HERETIC 2-Step Tuesday, dance till 11pm HIDEAWAY TEAM Trivia w/ Will 9pm Mixx Piano Night w/ David Reeb 8pm MODEL T Texas Hold’em Poker 9:30pm Oscar’s Show Tune Tuesday 8pm SWINGING RICHARDS 1/2 Price cover Tripp’s Ladies Night 9pm Woof’s Industry Day Free Wii 5pm

WEDNESDAY

BLAKE’S 5-9pm Doug’s party pop hits, The “Lust and Bust Show”11 pm BURKHART’S Humpday Karaoke w/ Darlene Majewski 11:30pm COCKPIT Balls Deep Karaoke 10pm EAGLE 80’s Music w/ Travis FRIENDS Team Trivia 8pm

36 | davidatlanta

got an upcoming event? calendar@davidatlanta.com

HERETIC 25¢ Keystone Light ,No Cover!

HIDEAWAY Trivia w/ Will 9pm Jungle Big Gay Game Show 3rd Wed Mixx Texas Hold’em Poker 7pm MODEL T Karaoke 10pm Oscar’s ReBooT Retro 8pm SWINGING RICHARDS 2-4-1 VIP Room Tripp’s Free Taco Bar 5pm XCESS ULTRA LOUNGE Raquell Lord’s Talent Show @ 10:30pm, Sophia Mcintosh & Fab 5 +1 @11:30pm, 18+ Woof’s Food Special, Trivia 8pm

THURSDAY

BLAKE’S $5 burgers, Texas Hold’Em Poker 7pm, Shawnna Factor Show 11pm BURKHART’S Twisted Thursday w/ Phoenix 11:30pm COCKPIT Dirty Boy Bingo w/ Ruby Redd EAGLE Karaoke w/ Mikey FELIX’S Karaoke w/ Brett & Tyler 10pm FRIENDS Girls Who Like Girls Meet Girls HERETIC 3 Legged Cowboy Night 9pm HIDEAWAY Service Industry Night JUNGLE Cherry Pop Thursday!

LAS MARGARITAS Crazy Bitch Bingo 7:30pm Mixx The Toolbox 6pm MODEL T Party-Time 9pm Oscar’s Kickin It w/ Kyle 8pm Phase One $3 Thurs Entry + drinks SWINGING RICHARDS 2-4-1 VIP & Entry Tripp’s Spotlight Karaoke 9pm XCESS ULTRA LOUNGE Turnt Up Thursday Woof’s Food Special, Country Music 7pm

FRIDAY

BLAKE’S 5-9pm TGIF, Bingo w/ Bubba & Bill 7pm, 1/2 price appetizers, Charlie’s Angels w/ Charlie Brown 11pm BURKHART’S Fab Five w/ Angelica D’Paige 11:30pm Club Rush Got Leche? til 4am, $10 COCKPIT DJ Diablo Rojo, guest VJ/DJ’s EAGLE DJ Dance Party FRIENDS Happy Times w/ Brian & Ken

HERETIC no cover B4 11pm HIDEAWAY After Work Martini Madness JUNGLE Club Night, Various DJ’s Mixx Grown & Sexy Dance 10pm MODEL T Saturday Night Live 9pm Oscar’s 80’s Retro Vidz 8pm SWINGING RICHARDS T-Shirt Review, $10 Tripp’s Afternoon Delights 4pm Woof’s Atlanta’s Best Social Night 6pm

SATURDAY

BLAKE’S opens 1pm, Daring Divas 11pm BURKHART’S Extravaganza w/ Shavonna B. Brooks 11:30pm Club Rush Dance Party COCKPIT DJ Diablo Rojo, guest VJ/DJ’s EAGLE DJ Dance Party FELIX’S Karaoke w/ Brett & Tyler 10pm FRIENDS Afternoons w/ Bob! 2pm HERETIC Varies: Club Night or 3 Legged Cowboy Night - 10pm JUNGLE Club Night, Various Guest DJ’s.

Mixx Guest DJ’s Dance 10pm MODEL T Sunday Dinner 3:30pm Oscar’s Total Request Videos 8pm SWINGING RICHARDS T-Shirt Review $10 Tripp’s Afternoon Cookout 3pm XCESS ULTRA LOUNGE 25+ FREE til 12am Woof’s Game Day All Day

SUNDAY

Burkhart’s Armorettes Drag Show Blake’s ON THE PARK open 1pm, Classic Sunday “T” w/ Bill Berdeaux & Daryl Cox Club Rush Hip Hop w DJ Truz, no cover COCKPIT PBR Beer Bust FELIX’S Bloody Marys & Mimosas FRIENDS Smirnoff B Mary Bar 12:30pm HIDEAWAY Bloody Mary Bar 12:30pm LAS MARGARITAS All You Can Eat til 3pm Mixx Old School Sunday Dance 7pm MODEL T Sunday Dinner w Ron 3:30pm Tripp’s Buffet 3pm; Karaoke pm Woof’s Bloody Mary bar, PBR special

Y

by Sam Gabel

ou may love or hate Cazwell. You may not even know who he is. But one thing is for sure, he sure doesn’t give a damn.

Probably the first, bold “openly gay” rapper, Cazwell definitely will leave a mark on you, perhaps literally or metaphorically. Uncensored and unabashed, the singer of several song titles such as “Unzip Me,” “All Over Your Face,” and “Tonight,” shares his feelings about what we can expect when Cazwell rides his “Ice Cream

38 | davidatlanta

Truck” into town. And it certainly isn’t to “See Beyonce at Burger King.”

Rumor has it that this will be your DJ’ing debut in Atlanta! Tell us a little bit about what to expect from you at the Rainbow Days event your will be performing at.

It will be the first time I’ve DJ’d in Atlanta! They chose me, and it sounded like a fun daytime gig.

It’s at an amusement park so you know there’s going to be a really fun vibe and music along with it. I like DJ’ing, but when I first started, I hated

it because I didn’t feel like it really captured the essence of what it is to perform live, but now that I have performed more and more, I can use megaphones and really go with the energy of the crowd, and have dancers in the background in specific themes and costumes. I treat these performances like it’s a party that I’m throwing.

What prompted your expansion into spinning beats? Are there any other projects down the road, like a memoir of the lessons and experiences you’ve accumulated while traveling?

I don’t think I’m so popular yet to write a memoir, and I don’t really write a “diary.” I do write like three pages a day, but not in a formal way, just more along what I’m feeling at the moment. As for DJ’ing, I’ll be honest; it started as another way to make money. I got asked by a lot of people, “Oh Cazwell, a lot of people know you, come DJ.” And that’s the initial reason I started. And now, it’s like an opened window of opportunity because it’s a definitely a challenge to me, and that’s why I like it. I think you always need a new challenge david atlanta | 39

40 | davidatlanta

to continue learning and growing. I watched this Japanese movie and the thing that stuck with me from it was that if you choose what you love to do, never complain about it. If you do it with dignity, people will respect you.

Do you have a ritual to bring a “piece of home” with you when you’re homesick and feeling a bit solitary? What do you enjoy doing when you’re not performing for an audience?

I actually toured a lot with Amanda Lepore and she always wears a lot of “sparkling things,” so we have a joke to make sure that she doesn’t “outshine” me. So, I put crystals on my hat, and it was actually her idea, so there’s always some form of crystals on an accessory that I’m wearing. I usually try to fit in a nap right before a performance because I don’t have a lot of free time when I’m traveling. At the end of the month, I’ll be doing Poptronic in Barcelona, and so that’s me right now. There’s a lot of back and forth. June is really busy, and August is getting busier. So I’m not like of those people that brings a pillow or something. But I’m thinking of getting a space bag.

It seems there have been many unexpected but successful combinations that resonated with the LGBT community like Eminem and Elton John. What do you anticipate the dynamic between Tiffany and you will have for the Rainbow Days 2012 event?

We’re not singing together or anything, but I think it’s amazing that I’m even doing a show with Tiffany. In a way, it’s slightly intimidating, but I’m trying to treat it as a pretty basic affair, but I never really thought of that until you mentioned it. I think it’s great though that you have icons from two different genres uniting the community together. I think it’s pretty fearless that she’ll be there and I’m hoping to get some Tiffany souvenir shirts. I hope she brings back those retro t-shirts.

What is it that you think makes a gay icon, a “gay icon?”

There are two types of gay icons. I think history has shown that gay men have usually connected with strong women like Kathy Griffin and Margaret

Cho who do amazing things for the gay community like AIDS charities, but I’m not Elton John or anything. I’ll never be like, “Hey, wouldn’t it be it cool if Lady Gaga was our godmother? Let’s call her.” What makes a gay icon is that their opinion or expression is relatable to the gay community and they get their point of view across.

Last time you were here, you were performing at Jungle in September. What do you think it is about Atlanta’s gay scene that makes it “Atlanta,” versus a location like San Francisco’s gay culture?

My last show in Atlanta was good. I have two good memories of Atlanta. One was this guy who kept on giving me the middle finger during a show, and I just kept on devoting all my songs to him.

I don’t really know why. The second was that this girl was super nice to me and asked for my phone number, and so I did. Then we found out she posted my number online and then my publicist told me never to give out my phone number again. She was trying to deny it, and was like, “Is there anything I can do for you?” but we had proof that she did it. So I was like, “Uh yeah, lose my number.”

So, if we happen to see you at Burger King late one night after a performance, what can we expect to see you eat?

The only reason I would be at Burger King is to get my ten dollars back from Beyonce.

Cazwell appears Saturday August 25th at Six Flags Over Georgia as part of Rainbow Days.. david atlanta | 41

Jay Brannan Shrugs Off Sex Symbol Status

I

by Joseph Brownell

t’s so easy to be vocally seduced when Jay Brannan sings, but if you listen closely to this Texas-born tenor you’ll hear some of the smartest-written indie folk songs coming from any artist (gay or straight). Combine that with his devilishly handsome good looks and you’ll understand why Brannan is playing not just one night in Atlanta this weekend but two.

If you’re not familiar with Brannan’s music, you may be familiar with his steamy turn in 2003’s Shortbus. The film’s sexually-charged scenes may have made Brannan a sex symbol within the gay male community but it’s a title Brannan shrugs off. “I don’t know that anyone views me that way . . . I can’t say I’ve ever gotten that feeling,” Brannan shared. Although if he looks around at this weekend’s shows, I’m sure he’ll catch a few members of the audiences drooling.

Brannan still holds acting ambitions but currently is focusing on his music, touring in support of his latest album Rob Me Blind. In tandem with Blind’s spring release, Brannan also released his first live album recorded at Decatur’s stalwart venue, Eddie’s Attic. So it’s a homecoming of sorts when Brannan returns to Eddie’s with performances scheduled for Saturday and Sunday night.

When it came to recording Blind, Brannan challenged himself with unfamiliar territory.

“I don’t want to make the same album over and over, at least right now I don’t, so I wanted to walk into a few fears, like using a bit more rhythm and percussion,” Brannan confessed.

Brannan created an album wish list which included Grammy Award-winning producer

42 | davidatlanta

David Kahne, whose recent work includes Regina Spektor, Ingrid Michaelson and Lana Del Rey. “[David] is so good at creating memorable moments in music, but keeps it interested and tasteful,” Brannan shared.

The result? “This turned out to be exactly the album I wanted to make,” Brannan beamed.

Brannan’s penchant for “taking cliché phrases and spinning them in different ways” reaches new heights with title track (and his favorite song) “Rob Me Blind”. “Usually when someone ‘robs you blind’ they are taking everything you have . . . and in the context of the song, that’s exactly what you want the other person to do,” Brannan explained. Hence Brannan finding his hands and feet bound on the cover.

Another highlight from Blind includes “Myth of Happiness”. Its lyrical 9/11 reference showcases a bigger struggle Brannan has with the state of humanity. “I don’t understand why people are so shitty to each other until some unimaginable tragedy comes along,” Brannan questioned. “But it’s amazing how quickly it fades even then.”

Brannan sings about love songs but very rarely writes one. On another album highlight “La La La” Brannan croons that he’d be happy to write one if only “someone would stick around long enough to compose the first verse.”

After listening to his albums and his cover choices, Brannan’s outlook on happiness should come as no surprise. “I kind of think it’s this state of perfection that people invented but can never really achieve . . . to me a much more realistic goal would be along the lines of ‘acceptance’ or some sort of comfortable state with yourself,” he revealed. “But then again I’m the one diagnosed with a chemical imbalance,

so perhaps you should ask someone else,” Brannan followed up quickly.

Chemical imbalance or not, if you’ve never been to a Jay Brannan show they are the perfect balance of conversation, original songs and covers. Brannan, who dabbled with Nick Minaj’s “Super Bass” and Adele’s “Someone Like You” on his live Eddie’s Attic release, counts Ani Difranco, Lisa Loeb and Sinead O’ Connor among his influences. “[Loeb] has this image of a cutesy singer-songwriter, but when you actually listen she’s angry and cynical, but also clever and funny. That’s what I try to be,” Brannan admitted.

Well, Brannan has succeeded. Atlanta looks forward to this weekend’s performances and whether he believes he’s a sex symbol or not, we’re looking forward to seeing him as well.

Jay Brannan performs at Eddie’s Attic Saturday August 18th and Sunday August 19th at 7:30 pm. Tickets: www. ticketalternative.com, Follow Jay Brannan on Twitter (@jaybrannan), Facebook (www.facebook.com/JayBrannan) and via updates on his website, www.jaybrannan.com. david atlanta | 43

44 | davidatlanta

Deep Inside Hollywood Gaga carries a big Machete

Inspiring as her acting was in the long-form “Telephone” video (you know you watched it over and over, don’t pretend) and as ubiquitous as she’s been these past couple of years, you’d be forgiven for thinking Lady Gaga had already appeared on the big screen in somebody’s movie somewhere. But no, it has taken Planet Terror director Robert Rodriguez to turn Mother Monster into her generation’s Streep. The film? Machete Kills, of course. It’s the sequel to Machete, the Danny Trejo-starring festival of violence and awesomeness made even more memorable by a weird hair-taped-to-naked-breasts Lindsay Lohan cameo and even more so by lines like “Machete don’t text.” This time around, Gaga will play “La Chameleon,” a femme fatale who, at least in the teaser poster, is wearing at least some portion of a dead wolf (sorry, PETA, we just report the news, we don’t make it). No release date set yet but you’ll know it when it’s coming: the Gaga train makes a lot of pre-arrival noise.

Kimberly Peirce is wild about Harry

No, the Boys Don’t Cry director is not jumping on board a reboot of Harry and The Hendersons. (But wouldn’t it be weird and cool if she were?) She is, however, in for an English-language remake of the creepy 2000 French thriller With A Friend Like Harry, known in its European release as the more alliterative Harry, He’s Here to Help. It won Cesar Awards in France and starred Sergi Lopez – France and Spain’s answer to Alec Baldwin – as a charming man who insinuates himself into the lives of a couple he claims to have known long ago, soon exposing sinister intentions.

No cast has been named yet for this new version, but Peirce is scheduled to handle duties after she finishes the Carrie reboot and actor Wentworth Miller (Prison Break) is said to be handling the script. And now all we can think of is Baldwin as Jack Donaghy as Harry. photos by Ralph Nelson

46 | davidatlanta

Dustin Lance Black’s Earthquake: Don’t call it a remake

The last large-scale earthquake to hit Southern California was in 1994. And that means geologists are predicting another, maybe even the mythical anxietybeast known as The Big One. And you know what that means: make a movie about it and get the money before it actually happens and nobody can touch the idea for at least a couple of years afterward. This is what JJ Abrams is doing for Universal and he’s hired Dustin Lance Black (Milk) as his scribe. Working under the title Earthquake, it’s not a remake of 1974’s Charlton Heston-starring Universal production Earthquake. It just happens to be about an earthquake and just happens to have that title and come from the same studio. Got it?

Furthermore, do not confuse it with another movie already in the works from New Line called San Andreas 3D, which will also be about The Big One hitting Southern California. Do not confuse them for one minute. It’ll be kind of like when there were those dueling Truman Capote movies, only these will feature lots of people being crushed to death.

Hedwig sequel arriving soon, but with no extra inches

It’s been 11 years since the film version of John Cameron Mitchell’s Hedwig and The Angry Inch stormed into movie theaters and became an enduring cult classic.

Since then its creator has gone on to direct the sexually explicit Shortbus and the emotionally devastating Nicole Kidman drama Rabbit Hole. But ask the fans: it’s Hedwig they still love. Hearing that cry, JCM is back at work with the wig, hatching a stage musical sequel with new adventures for his transgender heroine. There’s no title yet and its first reading will take place in September at Provincetown’s Afterglow Festival, so this is still only a comforting rock ‘n’ roll flame from a cigarette lighter in the distance. But the good news is that it’s really happening, Stephen Trask will return to write more music and, if we’re all very good and very lucky, maybe a film version will find its way into your local arthouse sometime after. See? There’s hope for the human race, after all.

– Romeo San Vicente

david atlanta | 47

david atlanta | 49

MetroFresh Food: Local and Fresh

M

by Elijah Sarkesian

itchell Anderson came into Atlanta’s culinary realm through a rather unique path. After years acting in film, television, and on stage, Anderson made the decision to retire and move to Atlanta in 2002.

Fast-forward a decade, and Anderson is now running multiple Atlanta-area restaurants – MetroFresh Midtown, which opened in 2005, and MetroFresh In the Garden, which followed in 2011. With a constantly changing seasonal menu centered on fresh food, Anderson’s restaurants are attracting a sizable number of customers.

David Atlanta caught up with Mitchell during a rare free moment for the entrepreneur, where we discussed his personal background and what customers can expect from his restaurants.

How did you get into acting, and what led you to get out of show business?

Well, I went to college and majored in Theatre, and then went to Juilliard and started my career back in the mid-eighties and I have had a really good career in television, film and theater for quite a long time. As I was getting into my late 30s I was kind of… I loved what I was doing, but I didn’t want to audition for the rest of my life. I was kinda looking around for other stuff to do.

I met my partner, Richie Arpino, and moved to Atlanta, and that was kind of the emphasis, when I was around 40, to seriously find something else to do and leave show business.

50 | davidatlanta

photos by Richie Arpino

How did you get into cooking professionally?

I was always a really good cook, and I enjoyed and do enjoy what food does: bringing people together and fostering conversation. So it was a natural progression, and I had just happened to really luck out and find the exact right person that could teach me, which was Jennifer Levison, who owns Souper Jenny. I was an apprentice with her for a while, for free, and I just came in and worked in the morning, early in the morning, and I kept showing up, and she kept saying, “Really?

You’re going to come today, again?” So for about two and a half years, I worked with her, and then when I was ready, she said, “I think you’re ready to open your own place.” That’s when I started MetroFresh, and that was seven years ago.

What prompted you to open MetroFresh?

Well, what I learned with Souper Jenny was sort of, a very creative approach to food. It’s not a recipe-driven way to cook. What I wanted to do was create something that had a very daily creative experience, both on the customer side and the chef side, because if you have a restaurant that changes its menu every single day, it

gives people a reason to eat there every single day. And that’s really what I wanted – a really casual place where people could feel like they were walking into my kitchen and I was just in there, making their food.

MetroFresh opened a second location in 2011.

What led you to expand?

And I think I did a lot of things well in that regard, because I chose a very small place – which is now somewhat difficult to negotiate, because it’s too small – but right in the beginning, right away it was busy with the neighborhood people because it was something new in the neighborhood and we were doing food that people wouldn’t necessarily get at a quick-service restaurant.

The second location is at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and it really came about because the Garden was looking to change the food vendor.

We were so close to the Botanical Garden that a lot of the people that make that decision eat at MetroFresh anyway. So they came to me and said, “We’d really like for you to make a proposal,” and I looked at how I wanted to grow, and it was a good opportunity for me. I made a really colorful proposal for what I thought they would like, and that’s how we opened the second location.

What kinds of foods can customers who come into the store expect to find on the menu?

Are there any plans you have in the foreseeable future for MetroFresh?

The menu changes every day. We do soups; right now, of course, we’re doing a lot of cold soups, because it’s summertime. We use things that are fresh and in-season, so right now a lot of our [selections include] a lot of different kinds of butter beans and field peas, peaches, and anything that we can get that’s local, we try to do. We just got a list of these really cool local peas that have great names like Misty May and we just create a flavor profile based on sort of what we have. The flavors can go all over the world in any one day. Just last Saturday, I had a case full of different salads, and one of them had a Thai influence, one was Greek, one of them was a little more Tuscan, and one was Moroccan.

The whole idea is to give people just this creative flavor palette every day.

MetroFresh Midtown is located at 931 Monroe Dr. MetroFresh In the Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Ave. For more information, visit metrofreshatl.com

It’s always hard to tell what the future looks like, because we had this other thing we were working on, before the Garden came along, so I worked on this thing for, like, a year and a half, and then the Garden came along and shifted my gears a little bit. I try to work as hard as I can and keep things as current as possible and be open to change and whatever comes along. Specifically, I don’t really know, but I think that there definitely is an interesting future for MetroFresh, and if I can figure out how to run more than two restaurants, I will consider it! But right now, I’m just trying to run two.

david atlanta | 51

The ‘Sparkle’ing

Jordin Sparks S

by Elijah Sarkesian

ince winning American Idol back in 2007, Jordin Sparks has turned herself into one of the show’s most notable winners. She’s a Grammy-nominated singer with several Top 10 hits, including “Battlefield” and “No Air.” Now she’s days away from the premiere of her debut film, Sparkle, a remake of the 70s cult classic.

Sparks’ decision to get into professional acting came as her record label, Jive Records, merged into RCA Records last year, leaving her unsure of what she should do with her career.

“I was just in this state of limbo, not knowing what was going to happen,” says Sparks. Things were transitioning with my label. I was ready to do a record, and make music, and there weren’t people there who could help me. I’d just parted ways with my management. So I was just sitting there going, ‘Is this really…is this it? Is this all that’s happening right now? I don’t know what’s going on. But I know something’s coming.’

“And Sparkle fell into my lap. It was the perfect opportunity, because it gave me a chance to do something new and get into acting, as well as get out music and have my voice be on it for my fans.”

Making a film debut is big in any case, but with Sparkle, Sparks finds herself at the center of the

54 | davidatlanta

film as its titular star. She admits to worrying about being horrible, but credits her fellow cast members with helping her find her way on-set.

“I was just like this sponge, soaking up everything. I was just watching everything and it really helped, because they all gave so much, which in turn helped me give more.”

With a film in the musical genre, though, Sparks did have an advantage over most of her fellow cast mates when it came to musical performances.

“Since there was music involved, that was where I was in my comfort zone. If they needed anything, I was helping with the musical performances, the choreography, in the studio.”

Among Sparks’ co-stars in Sparkle is Whitney Houston, in her final screen role. For Sparks, who considers Houston one of her main musical influences, working with Houston provided many memorable moments. There was one moment in particular that still stands out to her.

“There was one scene…I can’t even remember what it was, but I was kind of hesitant, and she said, ‘Believe in your gift. Believe in the talent that you have.’ You hear that, and you get reminded of it. But to have someone that you’ve idolized, that you’ve looked up to and loved say that to you, it has just stuck with me, and I will never forget that.”

That closeness amongst the cast made news of

Houston’s passing in February particularly hard.

On the day of Houston’s passing, Sparks was scheduled to walk with her on the red carpet of Clive Davis’ annual Grammy party.

“I was actually getting ready. It was going be our first round of Sparkle press, me and her together.

My publicist came to the door, and she said, ‘Whitney’s gone.’ I went, ‘What do you mean?

Like, she doesn’t want to do the carpet?’ She said, ‘No, she passed.’ And I pretty much lost all thought, feeling, movement, just…everything.

could have been last year if I had just put out a new sound. It would’ve been like, ‘That’s not Jordin at all.’ But now, when my fans see the movie, it opens the door for it to be like, ‘Oh, I can see that move.’”

“I don’t think I’ve cried that hard ever. I remember my publicist was sitting in there with me, and she’s got, like, a million different phones, and each one was just going off with press requests.

‘Can we get Jordin to talk?’ ‘Can we get her for a live interview?’ I just couldn’t handle it. I was already so overwhelmed by the news that happened. That was a million times worse.”

“It was really hard for all of us. It was so unexpected and the last time we had all seen her was in Detroit, when we were filming the movie, and we were all just so happy and so excited and she was just this ray of light. Then the next time we all saw each other was at the funeral, and it was just this surreal, weird moment, like we’re not all here for this. Because we were just laughing at the table, cracking up. It was very…that’s the only way I can describe it. Shell-shocked is the word.”

With promotion for Sparkle underway, Sparks is now looking forward to further acting projects.

First among them is a role she’s working on now in The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, an indie film also starring Jennifer Hudson and executive produced by Alicia Keys. In it, she plays “an Afro-Latina from the Bronx” (convincing Bronx accent and all).

She’s also hard at work on the follow-up to her 2009 album Battlefield. With her new album, Sparks is taking advantage of the R&B sounds of the Sparkle soundtrack to branch out into new sounds for her solo career.

“I grew up on Mariah, Whitney, Celine Dion, and Christina Aguilera,” says Sparks. “My flavor and sound now that I want to do is early Mariah, early Whitney. And it won’t be weird [now], which it

Included in her fan base is a sizable gay following.

Sparks is not only aware of her gay fans, but very appreciative of their support.

“I didn’t know that I had a gay fan base, or as big a gay fan base as I have, until I started touring on my own right after Idol,” says Sparks. “It was so cool to see that I was touching so many different people, and it was so much fun, and they’re so sweet and just…supportive and loyal. It’s just the best thing ever.”

With a career that’s now expanding more quickly than ever, Sparks is looking for time to do everything she wants. She’s more than determined to succeed, though.

“I want to conquer. I want to be known as a really, really good singer, and a really, really good actress. No slash, just both.”

Additional reporting by Joseph Brownell. For our review of Sparkle, along with a chance to enter our Sparkle contest, visit davidatlanta.com. david atlanta | 55

56 | davidatlanta

david atlanta | 57

FairyScopes

ARIES (March 20 – April 19): Try to be gentle with your partner. Remember you’re on the same team. If resentments come up, look at your own underlying worries. A playful slap at authority will be taken much harder than it was intended.

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): Sweetness and charm can be powerful and revolutionary; infiltration and subversion are more effective than a frontal attack. Seduce people to your side. Build your network and get in the back door. Be ready to improvise.

With time and patience you can succeed.

LIBRA (September 23 – October 22): Consolidating your authority can mean shifting alliances. Try to make new friends without alienating older ones. The less you like advice from your partner, the more you should listen to it. You may not have to agree; just listen and consider it!

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21): Worrying too much about the competition will just undermine your work and your mental health. Simply do your best and take enough time to rest so that you can do your best. Stay focused and your dedication will earn you praise.

GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Setting limits is necessary, but will probably anger some people. A conciliatory tone may be necessary, but don’t let that open the door to compromise. You can be firm and gentle, although it will take some work and creativity.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 20): Rather than speaking out on issues that matter to you, try researching them.

Resist social lures. Take time out to focus on yourself, to meditate. In your earliest memories, what do you remember your parents wanting of you? How does that influence you now?

CANCER (June 21- July 22): New financial ventures can prove very successful, but don’t trust anything that doesn’t promise lot of hard work.

Nothing will come easily. Your mate’s criticism is more trustworthy than his or her praise. Either way, appreciate that your baby means well.

CAPRICORN (December 21 – January 19): Pressure to succeed can be overwhelming.

Remember to relax; think ahead. Does sex really get you more in balance or is it a distraction that undermines your efforts? Some time off might help. Your partner should understand. Breathe. Think.

Prioritize.

LEO (July 23 – August 22): Fumbling, confused seductions can work out well.

Keep your sense of humor and don’t get thrown off your game. At work maintain some humility and listen more than you speak so you can make big changes. Ego and assertion can wreck it all.

AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18): Everyone wants an argument so you should be in heaven, but where is your feistiness coming from – an eagerness to play, or some deep-seated worries? Remember you have nothing to prove, and there’s a time and a place for everything.

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): You’re probably worrying too much about your job. Ignore rumors and be as productive as you can. Sexual experimentation can work off the tension, but with new techniques come new safety concerns. Be careful!

PISCES (February 19 – March 19): Sexual frustration could push you to ask yourself hard questions about your habits and your priorities. Don’t blame others. Assess your needs and priorities and look at changes, perhaps big ones, you need to make.

Scopes brought to you by Jack Fertig, professional astrologer since 1977. Visit his website at www.starjack.com.

58 | davidatlanta

massage / body work

Boy Next Door Menswear

QUALITY HANDS BY JEFF

Accepting Applicants for experienced Retail Sales people interested in PT work. Must be available on weekends. Send resume to apply – please no phone calls or drop-ins.

Full body rubs for Men 404-216-7214

fax 404.228.7627 • ray@boynextdoor.biz 1447 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, 30309

Seeking Servers/ Bartenders/ Bus Boys

Classifieds

HELP WANTED

Las Margaritas Full Service Latin Restaurant and Tequila Bar in Midtown, is seeking friendly, energetic, highly-motivated individuals who will thrive in a fastpaced, team-oriented environment.

Models + Escorts

Slender males 18-27

sought for artistic nude photos. Email:

virtuosoprod@mindspring.com

We Believe In and Reward Hard Work.

Home Improvement

ADVERTISE with the South’s longest-running LGBT weekly.

CALL us at

Trim Carpentry & Design Home Remodeling Custom Closets ,Crown Moulding, Custom Built-ins ,Paint, Kitchen, Baths, Quality Work Clever Designs LIC .REF Dave 404-409-4119

404. 418.8901 x3 for rates & information

classifieds@sovo.com | 404.418.8901 x3

We are currently hiring part time and full time professional Servers/ Bartenders/ Bus Boys. We are looking for people who are reliable self-starters, have a passion for selling, AND administering world class customer service. Previous Restaurant experience is required. Open availability is preferred. The ability to speak and act in a professional and sophisticated manner is required. Please apply in person MondayThursday from 12-5pm. Phone calls and/or online applications will not be accepted. Las Margaritas Restaurant, 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd.

david atlanta | 59

60 | davidatlanta

Bitch! Session

Gotta Bitch?

Text 404.969.BTCH or email bitch@davidatlanta.com

The bears here are hot!

Where I’m from, they’re more like walruses.

If bottoming were an Olympic sport, I would be the most decorated Olympian ever.

“Super”-gonorrhea? Yikes.

Better wrap it up, boys.

Dear tops, please control your orgasms. Sincerely, unsatisfied bottoms.

If it takes five minutes to scroll through pictures of your boyfriend or girlfriend to show your friend “a good one,” they’re ugly.

Now that we know that Catching Fire is filming in Georgia, who all is ready to start stalking out Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth?

A good friend makes you listen to their feelings. A best friend knows when you want them to shut up about their feelings.

Elton John says that Madonna’s career is over.

Maybe he’s right. After all, his career’s been over for years. The only thing keeping him even a little bit relevant is Lady Gaga. Wait, this sounds familiar...

It’s not you, it’s me ... and my horrible choices in men!

When you tip me fifty cents on three drinks, expect your next drink to taste like Kool Aid. Dude, you are barking up the wrong tree if you’re trying to play the jealous hurt card. Look at everything you’ve put me through on a pretty regular basis. You’ve forfeited your rights to play Jealous Hurt Guy.

NOTE: Opinions expressed are those of the readers and do not reflect the opinions of David magazine.

62 | davidatlanta